Monday, 7 January 2013

Granny Square Blanket.....The Sequel!

Good evening lovely people! How are you all doing?
I'm having having a nice night in at home, spending some quality time on my blog. I'm hoping to finally get around to updating my facebook page and replying to some comments!! But first I have a little something to share with you all.
Remember back in October I finished a very special granny square blanket for a friend of mine.

I was in love with this blanket and really found it very hard to part with, I had to start one of my own immediately! I wasted no time in ordering myself a new supply of Stylecraft. This time I didn't stick to the 17 colours from the "Stylecraft colour pack" but ordered myself an extra selection of colours to add to the colour pack. I had 27 colours in total to play around with.

Now I was taking a bit of a gamble with the colours, as I wasn't really sure what the over all feel of the blanket was going to turn out like. I was very much enjoying working with different colours and was especially loving the more muted tones like denim, teal and grape.

I got cracking with my granny squares and made them whenever possible. My initial plan was to make all of the squares individually and sew them together at the end.

However, after becoming a little daunted by the prospect of sewing together so many squares, I decided to use the "join as you go method" to join my squares.

Normally I wouldn't make all of my squares before joining, it kind of defeats the "joining as you go" idea. However, I decdied to make all of my squares first, purely out of personal convenience. I worked a lot on this blanket in between my shows at work. So I found it much easier to make 25 squares in the same colour, this way I only had to take one ball/colour of yarn to work.

Within a few weeks all 675 squares were finished (I made 25 squares in each of the 27 colours)!

NOW THE EXCITING PART!! I began to join my blanket!

I was amazed at how different this blanket was looking if I compared it to my previous one. It feels deeper and darker compared to the last. You can see in the pictures below just how different the overall colour is. The picture on the left is my last blanket and the one on the right my current one.

I've had a little niggling feeling when I compare the blankets as I feel like I prefer the one that I gave away. I had moments when I almost decided not to finish my current one. I'm so glad I pushed through that phase though. As adding a border to it made me see it in a different light.
Here it is in it's full state of granny square greatness!!! (A little tricky trying to get it in one shot!)

Here's what I did with the border:

It's a little darker and maybe a tad moodier than my last blanket, but I think I'm liking that now. It just took me a little second to realise that it is a different blanket and so I'm aloud to feel differently about it.
It does look quite at home spread out across our bed!

This blanket was by far the quickest I've done. It took just six weeks to complete. I think it came down to pure determination and being very organised and strict with my blanket making regime! I'm so happy I still have some cold winter months to get some use out of MY granny square blanket. That's right.....I'm keeping this one!!!

I think this is my first comment on your blog (recent folower from Portugal) :) I just had to congrat you, it is BEAUTIFUL! I'm doing one similar but in a mini version for a baby. :) how do you select the color sequence? I'm having a bit of a strugle with that...my first blanket. :)

Hey Ana! Thank you for the kind comments! I made sure I made the same amount of squares in every colour and then I joined it together as random as possible. I made sure the same colour never ended up next to another square of the same colour. other than that I didn't really have a plan! xxx

Well done Matt.. I love grape, teal, denim, bluebell. It looks fabulous. I prefer the second one to the first. I also know what you mean about the JAYG dilemma, I love the portability of squares, you can use every spare moment, but the blanket stitch effect looks fabulous. I am just thinking what stamina you had to get through sewing in all those ends!

Oooooohh, Matt, I dont know how you can work as much! I am surprised in every post you publish! I do not know how you do it for both work and create something so beautiful! You are a great artist to crochet! And your photos are always great, but the blog is great! Oh, Matt, I love so much color everywhere, everything is always cheerful and clean! There is so much beauty everywhere ... Many congratulations!

How beautiful! I love the colours you've used :-) I love the process of making a blanket-how they each develop their own 'personality', the joy of putting it all together, that rush when you see it completed! I hope the weather stays frosty for you so that your lovely new blanket can get to work!

So nice and big, to keep you plenty warm in the cold weather. Love what you have made with all the gorgeous colors! I love the "join as you go" the very best in the way of joining. Fantastic work!!! Ed 4448

I think your blanket is gorgeous. The addition of the extra colours to the 'Lucy pack' give it a richness and depth of colour. What's going to be your next crochet project though - designing your own blanket or cushion? Or are you going to enter the world of knitting? :D

Thanks for the lovely comment!! In answer to your question...Both!!! I'm working on my first proper knitting project as we speak, it's going a little slower than the crochet work though!Plans for my own blanket are a little seedling in my brain, I hope someday soon my ideas will become a reality to share with you all! :-) xx

Matt I love both blankets but the new one has a greater depth of colour and I fave this one, congratulations on completing it so quickly, what stich did you use to join the squares? Did you consider crocheting them together, I did that with my one and only blanket years ago but it did seem to pull but perhaps that was just my inexperence

Hey Susan! I joined them together as I went, meaning I used the last round of each square to join to the next sqaure. I've also made a blanket and joined with single crochet it makes a very pretty join, I like that method a lot!

Oh Matt it is so amazing!!!And in just six weeks!!!I have a number of blankets to finish which I started in 2012.2012 was one of those years when starting projects seemed nicer then finishing them.But you have inspired me no end to finish them!!! Thank you!!!Well done you!!

Six weeks? I am so impressed! Both blankets are beautiful but I actually prefer the one you're keeping for yourself. The darker colors give the blanket a cozier appearance. How did you do the JAYG if you made all the squares ahead of time? It doesn't look like there's a fourth round in the Granny square but perhaps it is there. ANyway, beautiful blanket!

Hey Sheery! Thanks for the kind comment. I joined them using the join as you go method, but did it in a slightly backwards way! I made every square but didn't fasten them off properly. When it came to joining a square I would pull apart one side and re-crochet it to the one I wanted to join it with. Sounds really slow and long winded, but making all of the squares before joining really made this project go faster for me. Hope that makes sense? Re reading it, I'm not sure if it does :-/ xxx

Well what a stunning work of art that is - and I'm loving the cushions too. Looks like a wonderful place to snuggle up in. Today you have inspired me to get on with one of my own - great resolution eh?

Defo like the darker one, beautifully done.Now I'm wondering what it would like should you join the squares with one colour...denim blue or such, see I'm thinking "baby blanket"here,, as if I don't have enough WIP's waiting!

You Sir, are an inspiration to hookists everywhere! After seeing the blanket you made for your friend I started making one using up odds and ends from my vast stash, but as ever I soon got bored and started something else. Now seeing this beauty has made me enthusiastic all over again!! Thanks for sharing your beautiful bright projects, and Happy New(ish) Year to you and Dennis!

What wonderful shots of your new blanket! The colours are glorious together! That's the great thing about granny squares in different colours, we get a different mood with each creation! You may be tempted to make one in spring colours to decorate your bed in the warmer season. Just a thought! Well done for your beautiful work!

Stunning work again. You never cease to amaze me in terms of creativity, colour and the detail of your blog posts. I love the way you discuss everything and support it with the visual treat of beautiful photographs. I really really want you to create a Coffee Table Book, It would be my ideal book for unwinding or filling my head with goodness before bedtime. A large book full of your projects, photographs and top tips! Let me know when it is going to be published...I will reserve a copy, signed of course! x

Lucy!! Thank you for the kind comments! I would love to make a book someday and I would sign it and deliver it personally. It was also very kind of you to mention me on your blog, thanks for the continued support!! Love Matt xxx

Hi Matt, as usual you inspire and encourage me! My fav is the second blanket. I have never made a full sized blanket- only baby blankets for gifts. I am going to try to learn this join as you go stitch so I can make me a blanket like yours!Love,Leah

Hi Matt, I've only found out about your blog a few months ago but I've been looking through your archives and o my, you make the most fabulous things! Keep the good work up! Love your blanket, the colours really pop!

I REALLY love this blanket. I like both of them but if I had to choose I would keep the one you have made for yourself. I started a style craft patchwork 3 years ago now and there were none around then. It's still only a third finished although I love it very much. You are so quick and there is really no excuse for me. I am sewing my together and I do love how it looks but it is very time consuming even though I quite like doing it (the down side is that it has a knack and every time I put it away and get it out again, I have to puzzle out what it is I am meant to be doing.) Anyway your blanket is really stunning and you are an inspiration. So much talent - is that fair?!

Just come across your blog and your work is wonderful. It is lovely to see a man crochet. I have just started teaching my 7 year old son and 9 year old daughter to do the basics. I was showing Ted your blog and he just loves it. Keep up the fabulous work and inspiration. Shaz xx

It is GORGEOUS! I have been following your blog for a little while now and I SO want to make one of these blankets! I have the same question as some of the other commenters about how you joined the squares. I would probably prefer to make all the squares ahead of time too. The only other blanket I have made I used JAYG and it made sense to me. But it doesn't look like you added a fourth round - so did you end up sewing after all? Please continue sharing your color and inspiration with us!

That blanket is stunning! I am a recent follower, too, from Germany, and so impressed by your creativity!!! And if I may say so, from what you see on the pictures - such a beautiful bedroom, really love the combination of white walls and colourful cushions and blankets. Amazing!!!

It is so beautiful!! I have wanted to make a blanket like this for a long time. I am worried that I will get bored with it quickly. After reading your post, I think I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the lovely inspiration.

oh my god matt it is gorgeous. On your first blanket, was that made from one of the stylecraft packs and was it just one pack????They are on offer on Deramores at the moment and fancy getting one but not sure how far it will go. xxx

This is gorgeous. I LOVE the added colors - loved the first blanket - but this is just richer. I've been planning to order those additional Stylecraft colors for weeks, but they are out of stock. Patience isn't one of my strengths.

Oh, it's just gorgeous! Way to go. I love it. I like the darker combination of colors, personally. I just finished a giant granny square afghan in the 17 colors plus Teal, just because I like it. I really think the Teal added something. It gave it a little more depth than it would have had otherwise. Enjoy your wonderful blanket!

It's gorgeous. I love it. I think the added colors were a great idea. I just did a giant granny square in the 17 colors plus Teal, and I think it really worked well. There's a depth to it that I like a lot. Enjoy your beautiful blanket!

I can't even put into words how beautiful this blanket is!! I'm new to crochet and have been combing the internet for easy blankets/afghans to make and I came across this one. WOW! Seeing your pictures makes me want to paint my room and furniture white and make one of these blankets for myself! What an artist you are!!

This is amazing!! I am in awe of this blanket! I am new to crocheting and have been combing the internet looking for easy blankets to make. Who knew something so easy would turn out so beautiful!! What an artist you are!

Your granny square blanket is a masterpiece! What beautiful choice of colors too. I'm especially interested how you joined the squares together. I'd really like to crochet a blanket for my teenage daughter. Would you be willing to share the pattern?

I just finished a ripple afghan I started in 2004. Nine years later it's finally finished. Better late than never! The colors are red/white/blue and it turned out quite nicely.

Hi there!I pop in here sometimes. To admire your crochet work and to boost myself with your happy colors. All over your blog! It is so fantastic! I live in Sweden, very grey time of the year I can tell. But looking at your work here keep the spring spirit up! All year around!!

Beside the amazing quilt you've made, I just love the round pillow on the bed!I would be so happy if you would share pattern or tell me where you bought it!!

What a fantastic idea for working the squares then joining them. I just tried it and it is exactly what I need! It takes very little time to undo the side and then join. I appreciate your creativity. Though I know you and Dennis only through blogs, I was happy to read you are reunited <3

I love the joining method you described and have already tried it out. What a fabulous idea! It makes a granny square project portable! Thank you for sharing your creativity here. I was happy to read that you and Dennis are reunited<3.

hello matt,newbie here and i tried to read the other comments to see if you already responded to this question....do you have the pattern for the round pillow on your blog? i am torn between two loves, the pillow and the outrageously fast gorgeous blanket...what incredible talent in you, thank you for (bed)spreading your gifts... thanks, reina

I love the blanket. it is awesome and I will be starting my own version soon. I notice that several have asked for the patterns for the pillows on the bed as well. Will you please post those as well as the method for how you joined the squares to one another? thanks!

what an amazing blanket...your crocheting looks really neat and perfect! I love working with colors and made a quilt that uses squares of colour also....my inspiration was paul klee...here's a link if you want to see it,,,

What a gorgeous blanket Matt! I'm wondering ; did you block your grannies? I can't imagine. I'm crocheting something similar but with 12" size grannies and can't imagine blocking so many , haha. I don't think i"ll block mine. Like a friend said to me : "they'll block themselves as you wear it" , lol

Hey there!! No I've never blocked any of my grannies. Like your friend said, when they are all joined they kind of figure themselves out. They'll all end up pulling one another into perfect squares......EASY!!! :-)

Hello Matt, i guess this must be my first comment on your blog!!! I love your blog, always very inspiring... Your blanket is just amaizing!!!! You have done a very well job and it goes so well with your bedroom style !!I have never done a blanket this big, but looking At yours made me wana give it a try!!! I just ordered 21 colours from Mansons, stylecraft special dk which i have been dying for ages to try!!! I hope the shipping to France won't take long... Can't wait to start working on it! Cheers! Lina

Hey Lina!!! Thanks for the lovely comment! I love that you have just taken the plunge and ordered your yarn! SOOOOO EXCIIITING!!!!!! I'm living in Germany at the moment and always order from Masons, usually my yarn arrives with in a week of ordering!! They are very fast! So I hope you get your yarn soon. Have fun :-)

Once draped across the bed, I definitely like this one better than the last. I'm working on a granny square blanket right now, just because, while I wait for the go ahead to buy the yarn for the granny square blanket my husband decided I should make next before I quite finished our ripple blanket last week.

Hi MattYour blanket is absolutely beautiful!! I was wondering if you make chain 1 at the sides or just clusters of three dc. I love your blanket and would like to start of one elmer blanket of my own asap.Thanks for sharingMonika

Hello Matt! I love your blanket and I would like to know the method you use to join all the granny squares. I 'm doing a similar one and i don't undersatnd how i can do it. Many colours and many options. Thank you.

Hi Matt, I've just started getting into crochet (but a very avid knitter!) and seeing this granny blanket has inspired me to do something! I just need to work my yarn collection before I start buying more to make one! (All my yarn seems to be really dark colours which I don't fancy for a blanket!)I was wondering, what size are the squares you make? (I've heard it's hard to keep tension as the squares get bigger!)Keep up the good work!Amelia :) x

Wow, I love it, it's my favourite granny patchwork so far, definitely. I'd love to know what the 27 colours are that you used; any chance you could list them? I was going to do a patchwork with a 'Lucy pack', like your first one, but I'm definitely going to out in a few more colours having seen this latest one. Off to Masons next click! Thanks for the inspiration.

Uh...so, this is my comment virginity--on any blog---haha but you're so worth it! I totally get what you did with the stripe blanket when you pulled it out to make the original granny blanket...and I usually have more than one project going because of that. I had just started making granny squares within a month or so after a couple years of crocheting. Then...it happened...I saw your blanket and fell in loooovveee...so, I'm currently about 40 squares in...since yesterday..because I'm so in love with your blanket I have to try to make one of my own! Gorgeous!! Thanks for revamping my crocheting desire!Katie

Matt - I am in love with these blankets, particularly the second one. I can see that you used a "Lucy pack" of colors and you specifically mentioned adding Denim, Grape and Teal. Do you possibly remember the names of the rest of the colors? You are such an inspiration!

Beautiful!! I love the second "darker" version you made for yourself!! Oh and those pillows look amazing with it!!! I have what feels like a million and 1 scraps from finished projects... maybe this is the project I should use them up with!?!? LOL!

Absolutely STUNNING blanket - I much prefer the intensity of your second blanket - I'm a newbie to crochet, and a blanket is my next mission! I'm planning on making a smaller blanket but with bigger squares as I think that's more achievable for me!

Also, I know you're probably uber busy, but is there any chance you could list the Stylecraft colours you've included as I love your combination!

Absolutely STUNNING blanket - I much prefer the intensity of your second blanket - I'm a newbie to crochet, and a blanket is my next mission! I'm planning on making a smaller blanket but with bigger squares as I think that's more achievable for me!

Also, I know you're probably uber busy, but is there any chance you could list the Stylecraft colours you've included as I love your combination!

I've discovered your blog today and I love it! I adore your blanket and just ordered 18 Stylecraft yarn, I can't wait until they arrive (though it could take a little while as I'm based in Oz). Keep up the good work, your ideas are fabulous :)

so i was looking the posts, and i somehow (not sure if it's just me) kinda saw a heart shape-tho it's not really even :p - in the darker coloured blanket. hehe.. and i found it awesome, coz it's not intentional. totally gorgeous. :D

Hi Matt, first off I would like to say "Great Job". I am starting a blanket for my younger daughter who totally fell in love with it the minute I showed her. She also fell in love with the pillows that you have made to go with the blanket. Can you provide me with the pattern or the site where you may have gotten it from? Thanking you so much for your help in advance!

Hi Matt, first off let me start by saying "Job well done". I am in the process of starting one for my younger daughter who totally fell in love with it the minute she saw it. We have chosen the color palette and I am on my way to starting. My question is, can you give me the pattern to the pillows you also crocheted that you put on the bed with this blanket or the site where you may have gotten it from? My daughter said that she wants one of each on her bed. Thanking you for this great piece of art. keep up the good work!!

Hey Idelta! Thanks for the lovely comment! The pillow is a version of the blooming flower pillow. I used the pattern by Lucy from Attic24. Here is a link to the pattern http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/blooming-flower-cushion.htmlHope that helps xxx

Hi Matt, Just found your blog today. I must say you are one talented man. So admire your talent across the board. Only wish I lived in Germany too and I could be your neighbor and you could teach me all your tips! Alas, I'm stuck here on Vancouver Island in beautiful Victoria, BC. If I win the million I'll come watch you perform and hopefully get to see all your projects too. Keep up the good work. Cheers from across the world. Teri

You have inspired me to learn crochet and make a blanket myself. I am trying to figure out how many squares I will need. Mine are a bit small at 3.5 inches. How big ate your granny squares? And what size is the bed your blanket fit? Your blanket is beautiful I hope mine well be too.

I have been looking at your blanket and it is beautiful. Since you did the join as you go after all the square were made, I assumed that when you crocheted the squares initially, you left a fairly long tail that would disappear once you joined the squares. Is that correct? I am gathering about 18 inches?

Hey Bev! Thanks for the comment, it#s really kind of you :-)The big circular pillow was made using the Blooming flower tutorial over at Attic24. I adapted the pattern a little to fit my rather large pillow and used Stylecraft DK to make it. Here's a link to my original post about it:http://accordingtomatt.blogspot.de/2011/08/cushions-and-jam-jars.html

Heres the square pillow shown to the left of the circular pillow. It was a really easy make just using single coloured granny squares.

I like this second one better, Matt. I feel the darker colors lead to an overall better look. It took me a lot of years to realize that black could lend needed accents and should be considered-I prefer darker hues-navy, plum, maroon like you have used in your blanket.

Hi Matt! What a great blanket this is. I just ordered the Lucy pack and I'm hoping it will fit my daughter's double sized bed. You didn't mention if you needed extra yarn to do the border on the original blanket that you did for your friend. Do you think I will need to order more yarn? Could I also ask how you joined all the squares on each blanket, were both blankets joined the same way? I love the edge you did! What are those stitches called? It's just perfect and I'm hoping my daughter's will be equally beautiful in a few months. If you could tell me how you did it, I would really be grateful! Thank you!

Hi Matt .. I do love your time put into such beautiful works of art. The blankets are both beautiful and I especially love the second as it not only brings out the colors more but also sends a sense of weaving in the process. Very talented and looking forward to seeing more of your work and looking into the blog further. Yes this is my first time on .. Thank you to a posting on facebook of your blanket. Wishing you all the best always.